Initially launching the program with 15 grants, Jane Walker will now match the program and fund an additional 15 groundbreaking women-owned businesses through the end of the year. Together with a network of influential icons, businesses will be selected across Entertainment & Film, Music, Sports, Journalism, STEM, and Hospitality, all on their journey towards a monumental first. Each recipient will receive a $10K grant plus a one-year IFundWomen Annual Coaching Membership. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through October 2021.

DishRoulette Kitchen understands the trying time the restaurant industry is facing.  As the third-largest employer in the nation, the restaurant industry is the backbone of our economy and should be the first to be “bailed out.” Unfortunately, that was not the case. Here at the DishRoulette Kitchen, we’ve listened to and supported our restaurant community as best as possible. A lot of us are hurting. But a lot of us are helping each other.

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) has been an incredibly effective recovery tool for the restaurant industry. Still, for too many owners, the $28.6 billion in funding won’t last long enough for them to receive a dollar in disaster funding. The SBA estimates that they need at least an additional $50 billion to fund the applications submitted before the application portal was closed.

The Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that effective today, June 11th, 2021, Chicago is officially in Phase 5! The move to Phase 5 and full reopening is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the life-saving power of the COVID-19 vaccine and the hard work of the business community over these past fifteen months.

All of Illinois, including Chicago, is set to reopen on June 11. The change comes as COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and other metrics have improved. In addition, officials have said the wide availability of vaccines has led to the drop and made reopening possible.

To ensure Back to Business funds reach those most in need - the new budget dedicates funding to expanding outreach and technical assistance. This includes the Community Navigator program – leveraging community organizations who know firsthand the needs of their area businesses, to support them in applying and qualifying for funds. The program deploys a hub and spoke model to boost participation in programs by minority-owned businesses and those in hard-to-reach communities. DCEO will partner directly with larger grantees (“hubs”) that engage with smaller local, community-based organizations (“spokes”) to provide direct one-on-one support to targeted businesses. Community navigator services will play an important role in providing technical assistance to disadvantaged businesses seeking to benefit from federal relief efforts.

The City of Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) promotes economic development by providing small businesses with reimbursable grants for permanent building improvement costs. SBIF grants use local Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue to reimburse you for the pre-approved repair or rehab of your business facilities or adjacent land acquisition. SomerCor is the program administrator contracted by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development.

Join the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois and our partners as we host LGBTQ+ Biz Training. This two-day event will equip LGBTQ+ and ally entrepreneurs with the resources to launch and grow successful businesses.

The PepsiCo Foundation Hispanic Business Program will provide $10,000 grants to 150 Hispanic-owned food and beverage businesses. Eligible businesses must have earned less than $1 million in 2020 and be located in Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Chicago, Miami, Denver, New York City, El Paso, Orlando, Phoenix, Albuquerque, or Las Vegas. Grant applications will be accepted through June 25.